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About
Monstera is a genus of 59 species of flowering plants in the arum family, Araceae, native to tropical regions of central and south America.
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Monstera is a genus of 59 species of flowering plants in the arum family, Araceae, native to tropical regions of central and south America.
Etymology
The genus is named from the Latin word for "monstrous" or "abnormal", and refers to the unusual leaves with natural holes, or fenestrations (slits) and perforations (holes), that most members of the genus have.
Description
Growth pattern
They are evergreen vines, growing to heights of 20 metres (66 ft) in trees, climbing by means of aerial roots which act as hooks over branches; these roots will also grow into the soil to help support the plant. Since plants in the genus root both into the soil and over trees, it is considered a hemiepiphyte with roots in soil but climbing on trees. Aerial roots hanging directly to the ground have, according to Madison, measured up to 30 m (98 ft) long.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
- —
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate